Victim Advocate

• Serve as a Victim Advocate in the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program, providing care and supportive services to victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault.
• Conduct advocacy support, safety assessment and planning, and needs assessment for adult victims of sexual assault, providing a non-clinical response that is trauma-informed and recovery-oriented.
• Coordinate medical, legal, civilian and/or military law enforcement resources to address immediate risk, safety, and supportive service needs in accordance with applicable policy, prioritizing confidentiality, and informed consent.
• Develop detailed case management plans with short-and long-term goals and objectives, and engages in ongoing support activities tailored to the victim's needs.
• Compile and submit program reports, data, and evaluations.
• Assist in conducting professional, educational, and interactive training workshops/seminars for Commanders, Soldiers, and community agencies.
• Perform 24/7 on-call duties.

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11. While probationary the incumbent can be terminated with limited appeal rights.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 25% of the time.
• The duties of this position may require the incumbent to carry a cell phone and be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week on a rotational basis, based on the needs of the organization.
• In accordance with DoDI 6493.03, this position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain the DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) within six months of employment.
• Incumbents of SHARP positions must complete all required training, obtain certification, and be placed on appointment orders prior to having any victim contact or access to victim information.
• The duties of this position require background checks to be conducted against all records as required. Background checks will be conducted, prior to entering on duty in the position and on a recurring basis while employed in the position.
• This position requires a State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) Check for all states of residence in the previous five and/or up to ten years. Appointment to SHARP positions requires completion of criminal history background checks.
• Incumbents in these positions are required to self-report civilian arrests, the filing of criminal charges, and/or convictions of any criminal offense to their supervisors and the security office.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain access to Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program, Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database, and Integrated Case Reporting System (ICRS).
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11.

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is .

BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR VICTIM ADVOCATE:

A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in behavioral or social science, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, such as: Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, or another related field. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

B. Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR

C. Experience: Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience, which includes: 1) Providing professional advocacy services to victims or survivors of sexual assault and/or sexual harassment; 2) Conducting assessments with clients to evaluate needs and risks; 3) Conducting training/seminars on sexual assault/sexual harassment; AND 4) Coordinating appropriate services with internal or external offices to ensure holistic victim support. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, or another related field. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.



If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the information sheet.
• This is a Medical (53) Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• This position is not eligible for regular and recurring telework. This position is eligible for situational telework only, including emergency and OPM prescribed "unscheduled telework". Situational telework is approved on a case-by-case basis, where the hours worked were not part of a previously approved, ongoing, and regular telework schedule. Situational telework is sometimes also referred to as episodic, intermittent, unscheduled, or ad-hoc telework.